I am curious to hear from folks that have used these cutouts as to whether they have had good experiences or problems (leaking, failure to operate, etc.) with the various cutouts available. I am to a point where I need to buy a set (just can't live without those babies!).

I have a friend who has the uicktime Performance cutouts, and he has had a lot of trouble with them leaking and coming apart, so I opted to look at others. I originally planned to go with a 3" cutout, so I bought a pair of the McCord Power Plates in 3". I got them and was really disappointed in the quality of the parts. The seal is made with silicone sealer smeared on the interface between the butterfly and the body. None of the machining looked very professional to me. But they were only $200.

Then I re-designed my exhaust system and decided to go with a 3.5" cutout and McCord didn't make one. So I searched some more and found DMH Performance. I ordered a pair, and even thought they cost $320 a pair, they are well worth it IMO. The machining is spectacular, and the quality is way above the other two. Dave Hacker is the owner and a really nice guy, at least via e-mail . He is an aircraft machinist and his dedication to quality really shows in his parts. The seal is made via a Viton o-ring which he says can take the temperatures. He's tested them a lot and says they should last for years. They are also easily replaceable if needed.

I have not had a chance to test the DMH cutouts yet, but I expect them to perform as good or better than any other cutout I looked at, based on my observations. Here's what mine look like:

I have had QTP 31/2 cut outs on my 55 for about 2 years now and have had no problems with them. I use mine every time I drive it(every weekend). Whether its some rice burner or mustang, or I am cruising down the highway, they are going to be open. As far as quality I am happy, and as far as leaking, well with the 31/2 Dynamax mufflers its kinda hard to tell.

I love my QTP cutouts, had them for about 7 years with no issues. I hooked mine up to a set of Warlock Mufflers as the Warlock have "two mufflers", one of them being a straight pipe. It was plug and play. I run them wide open each time I take the '55 out. Best money I spent on the car